By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Jan 14: “This is not going to be an ordinary flood evacuation, but with Covid-19 around,” says State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He reminded those affected by the flood to be on alert during evacuation as extra Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Covid-19 need to be observed.
Heavy rain for the past few days amid the high tide season has flooded many low-lying areas in Kuching.
“Though it is that time of the year with heavy rain, non-stop rain for the last 24 hours have resulted in floods in many areas in Kuching (worsened by high tides).
“I told my people in Batu Kawa, this is not going to be ordinary flood evacuation but flood evacuation with Covid-19 around,” he said in his Facebook post yesterday (Jan 13).
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Local Government and Housing asserted that a ‘Banjir Cluster’ is most unwanted at these dire times.
Thus, he urged for social distancing to be observed in evacuation centres, and flood victims who could remain at the second floor of their houses not to be moved but still entitled to compassionate payment and free meals.
“We don’t want to be in the situation where we have floods for two or three days but Cluster Banjir later on with 14 days in the hospital.
“Minimise the people staying close together in evacuation centres, and tell those with two-storey houses to stay in the house if it is safe and only the ground floor is flooded, but they will still be registered as flood victims and are entitled to wang ehsan and meals,” said Dr Sim.—DayakDaily
